Page 25 of The Deep End of Death (Twilight Lake #4)

The balcony in our room overlooked Murk, giving a clear view of the mists—an unmoving wall between the shore and my view of the Dark Sea.

The stone throbbed in my pocket. Seething and spitting anger at Cormac’s betrayal—though I couldn’t exactly call it that.

Cormac Illfinn was not mine. He did not belong to me. He was the King of Tarsainn and my enemy, something I seemed to have forgotten.

Cormac was within his rights to pursue a night of blissful dreams. I didn’t own him, and he had done nothing untoward.

It was easier to cope with my emotions when the stone seemed to feel them for me.

Rainn did not have the same boon. Seemingly angry beyond reason, he ignored his dinner and paced the room's length.

Tor sipped his wine, watching the Selkie as he muttered to himself. “Sit down.” He rolled his eyes. “You’re going to wear a pattern on the floor.”

“What is he thinking?” Rainn brandished his hands in exasperation.

Tor’s lips ticked over the rim of his wine glass. “I’m certain he isn’t, but Cormac Illfinn can do as he wishes. That’s the beauty of free will.”

Rainn opened his mouth and closed it again, unable to summon an argument. His eyes darted to me before he began pacing again.

I sighed, turning away from the balcony. “If you’re annoyed on my behalf, don’t be,” I told him.

“Jealousy is a normal emotion.” Tor nodded sagely.

“I’m not—” My tongue locked around the lie, and I growled in frustration. I stomped to the bed and flopped down at the end of it. “Cormac and I are enemies.” I declared, staring up at the ceiling. “There is too much history there.”

“By the laws of the lake, Elaine and Irvine were your guardians.” Tor placed his glass on the bedside table. “Elaine promised your hand to Cormac. By all rights, you are betrothed.”

“I’m mated to both of you.” I waved my hand but did not get up. “And Shay. I have three mates already.”

“Mates and matrimony are different things,” Tor said patiently. “Marriage is a contract.”

“By Undine law, the Shíorghrá bond is a contract.” I threw my hand over my eyes. “The same as marriage.”

“That is not the case for Selkies.” Rainn cut in, his voice gentle. I felt the bed move as he sat down. “Many Selkies deny their Shíorghrá. To give someone your coat is to give them power over you. There is no automatic perceived right based on a Shíorghrá bond.”

“How do the Mer choose their mates?” I wondered. “Cormac never said.”

“He’s remarkably tight-lipped about it.” Rainn griped.

“Cormac is secretive about the ways of his Creed.” Tor acknowledged with a nod. “If I didn’t know the Met were known for their glamours, I would say that Cormac Illfinn was all muscle and no magic.”

“I’ve never seen him cast a glamour,” Rainn noted.

“Just so.” Tor agreed.

“I don’t want to talk about Cormac Illfinn anymore.” I rubbed my hand over my face.

Rainn chuffed a laugh, shifting his body until his head was next to mine. “I can find plenty of other uses for that mouth.” Rainn waggled his eyebrows.

I rolled my eyes but felt the familiar warm stir in my belly.

Nose to nose, I could smell his skin. See the dark bands around his irises and his sky-blue eyes. I felt the warmth radiating from his skin.

How long had it been since his coat had appeared to me? Had Rainn noticed? The more the stone pressed on me, the easier it was to forget the smaller details. How much had changed when I wasn’t looking? Too focused on the constant tussle with my magic to notice something so important?

I needed to touch Rainn. Hold him. To feel the warmth of his skin against mine. I closed my eyes, inhaling his scent of sunshine and sea salt. I missed him so much, even though he was right there.

Rainn slung his arm over my shoulder, pulling me close. As we lay side by side, pressed against each other, I felt his body loosen in the same way mine did. Clearly, Rainn Shallows had needed the hug as much as I did.

Tor cleared his throat, and Rainn chuffed a laugh. He pulled back, his eyes sparkling. “You’ll get your turn.” Rainn teased. “But right now, Maeve is mine.”

“I didn’t say anything,” Tor murmured, reaching for his wine. “By all means, continue.”

“Glad we have your permission.” I joked.

Rainn reached up, dragging a single finger across the seam of my jaw. Exploring my face as if committing it to memory—succeeding in drawing my attention away from the Kelpie on the bed.

Rainn traced a path over my skin, dragging his finger over my lips, before pressing the skin where my crescent scar sat, just below my eye.

“I miss your pearls.” Rainn bit back a smile. “You’re beautiful under the surface.”

“But not on land?” I gave him a look.

Rainn’s nose wrinkled. “You’re always beautiful, with pearls or without.

I just prefer you in your element.” He continued tracing my features.

He leaned in, placing a delicate kiss on my lips.

He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply as if the kiss had relieved him greatly.

Rainn pulled away before I could deepen the kiss.

He placed a finger to my lips when I tried to protest. “I almost lost you today.” He warned. “The Thiggen. Those fecking guards. I need to taste you. I need to feel you come undone under me. I think I might go mad if I wait any longer.”

I nodded mutely as Rainn reached for the flowy material of my sodden tunic. I sat up, allowing him to pull the shirt over my head. Gooseflesh peppered my skin, though the room was warm enough.

When Rainn reached for my leathers, I jolted back, thinking of the stone in my pocket. Before he could grow suspicious, I yanked my trousers down and kicked them off the bed. My body sagged as if I had shed the weight of several men, feeling lighter than I had in weeks.

I laid back, nude, flashing Rainn a drunk smile—unable to hide my relief. Rainn mistook my newfound languidity for arousal. Rolling on top of me, his hands on either side of my head.

Tor stood up, taking a sip from his glass as he watched Rainn climb on top of me.

Rainn kissed me, his weight a delicious feeling as he pressed me into the bed. Covered by his body, I felt safe. Warm. His . I dug my nails into his shoulders, pulling him toward me. Rainn grinned against my lips, and I clawed at his body. Desperation seeped into my every action.

Rainn broke away, planting a peck on the end of my nose. His wicked grin never left his lips as he peppered kisses down my body, smelling the skin of my belly. He kissed down my body until his legs fell off the bed.

He dropped to his knees and gripped my ankles, parting my legs and pulling me towards him.

I slid across the bed with a squeak as he settled between my parted knees, resting his head against my thigh.

I felt his breath against my skin, sending shivers down my spine and raising every hair on my body.

I reached between my legs, brushing my hand against Rainn’s soft silver tresses.

I felt his breath against my wetness as his hand slid across the skin of my thighs before he reached my core—his finger’s danced over my entrance before he kissed the delicate nub above my pussy.

His tongue darted out, brushing over my clitoris.

I shuddered, sighing as he settled into a rhythm.

He’d barely begun, my orgasm darting out of reach, when Rainn thrust a finger inside of me.

My inner walls clenched around the digit, desperate for more.

The bed creaked, and my eyes fluttered open to find Tor had climbed onto the mattress.

Tor fisted his cock, rubbing the thick length from root to stem.

A pearl of precum gathered at the angry slit as he knelt behind my head.

Without a word, I opened my mouth and arched my neck to lick the bead of cum from the head of his cock.

The sound of Rainn’s fingers thrusting inside of me—wet and loud, filled the room.

I focused on breathing through my nose as I extended my tongue and opened my mouth, sucking the head of Tor’s cock.

Tor began to thrust, rocking his hips to fuck my mouth.

Rainn continued to swirl his tongue. His fingers filled and stretched me.

Every muscle in my body locked, drunk on pleasure. I came hard. My mouth was open, slack in pleasure, as Tor continued to thrust into my mouth.

Tor’s hips grew erratic, his length growing harder. I wrapped my lips around his head, still sucking, as I prepared for his cum.

The door opened. My eyes flicked to the side.

Cormac stood in the doorway, his hand on the doorknob and his gaze hooded.

Tor freed himself from my lips and painted my face with his spend.